Mormon Missionaries Share Message of Christ

As you go though your day, it is often hard to miss clean-cut young men in white shirts and ties biking or walking around town. These guys are more than likely Mormon missionaries, voluntary representatives for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I recently saw an episode of ABC’s Nightline, showing a day in the life of a set of Mormon missionaries in LaPlace, Louisiana. Proselyting door-to-door, they were rejected over and over until they met one lady who was interested in the special message they had to share.

These missionaries reminded me of Simon Peter and Andrew, Jesus’ first disciples, who heeded His call to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

Over the years, my family has gotten to know many missionaries in the Houston area as we have had them over for dinner. It is a common practice for missionaries to eat dinner with people in the area each night. We love to get to know each set of missionaries–where they came from, where they have been in the mission, and how much longer they have left in the mission.

At a recent visit, the Elders (the missionaries hold the office of ‘Elder’ in the Priesthood) both hailed from my family’s home state, giving us much to talk about. My children always benefit each time the missionaries visit as they see the example these young men set and the kind of lifestyle they live while on missions. Additionally, it is special treat for my kids to talk with the missionaries, show them our family pets, and feel the special spirit they bring into our home.

By the time the missionaries left–they are not allowed to stay more than an hour for dinner appointments–I was sad to see them go. Those young men brought such a strong spirit into our home and into our hearts, manifesting that they are truly God’s servants. No matter which missionaries we have in our home, that special feeling is the same.

Missionaries are all volunteers and pay a monthly amount for the costs associated with their mission (food, rent, etc). Most missionaries pay for at least part or all of their mission expenses themselves.

Earlier this month, the age requirements for missionaries were changed to close the gap between high school and missions. Young men now can serve one year earlier at 18 once they have graduated from high school or its equivalent. Young women can now serve two years earlier at 19. Retired couples are also encouraged to serve Church missions.

In addition to proselyting missions, Church missionaries also can serve humanitarian missions where they do everything from providing water to drought-stricken areas of Africa, to providing wheelchairs to handicapped children, to teaching English. Missionaries do not pick where they are sent, but rather go where they are assigned by Church leaders.

Now with 55,000 missionaries serving worldwide, most proselyte on foot or bike, often in extreme heat like in Houston, or in the biting cold in other places like Russia. Though some may think of these missionaries as a nuisance, these missionaries are dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ who receive no reward other than the happiness they receive when they invite people to come unto Christ.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:17-18, 20 when he taught: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. . . By their fruits ye shall know them.”